New species of plankton discovered

A team of about 15 scientists on a research sailboat completed a two-and-a-half year, 70,000-mile voyage looking at plankton. The research team from Tara Oceans collected samples of sea-water and found approximately 1.5 million species of plankton - twice the number previously known to exist, CBS This Morning reports. The microscopic creatures at the bottom of the food chain play an over-sized role in the global ecosystem. This image shows a new species of plankton.

Credit: Tara Oceans Project

This microscopic image shows a new species of plankton discovered by the Tara Expedition.

Credit: Tara Oceans Project

This microscopic image shows a new species of plankton discovered by the Tara Expedition.

Credit: Tara Oceans Project

This microscopic image shows a new species of plankton discovered by the Tara Expedition.

Credit: Tara Oceans Project

This microscopic image shows a new species of plankton discovered by the Tara Expedition.

Credit: Tara Oceans Project

This microscopic image shows a new species of plankton discovered by the Tara Expedition.

Credit: Tara Oceans Project

This microscopic image shows a new species of plankton discovered by the Tara Expedition.

Credit: Tara Oceans Project

This microscopic image shows a new species of plankton discovered by the Tara Expedition.

Credit: Tara Oceans Project

This microscopic image shows a new species of plankton discovered by the Tara Expedition.

Credit: Tara Oceans Project

This microscopic image shows a new species of plankton discovered by the Tara Expedition.

Credit: Tara Oceans Project

This microscopic image shows a new species of plankton discovered by the Tara Expedition.

Credit: Tara Oceans Project

This microscopic image shows a new species of plankton discovered by the Tara Expedition.

Credit: Tara Oceans Project

This microscopic image shows a new species of plankton discovered by the Tara Expedition.

Credit: Tara Oceans Project

This microscopic image shows a new species of plankton discovered by the Tara Expedition.

Credit: Tara Oceans Project

This microscopic image shows a new species of plankton discovered by the Tara Expedition.

Credit: Tara Oceans Project

This microscopic image shows a new species of plankton discovered by the Tara Expedition.

Credit: Tara Oceans Project

This microscopic image shows a new species of plankton discovered by the Tara Expedition.

Credit: Tara Oceans Project

This microscopic image shows a new species of plankton discovered by the Tara Expedition.

Credit: Tara Oceans Project

This microscopic image shows a new species of plankton discovered by the Tara Expedition.

Credit: Tara Oceans Project

This microscopic image shows a new species of plankton discovered by the Tara Expedition.

Credit: Tara Oceans Project

This microscopic image shows a new species of plankton discovered by the Tara Expedition.

Credit: Tara Oceans Project

This microscopic image shows a new species of plankton discovered by the Tara Expedition.

Credit: Tara Oceans Project

This microscopic image shows a new species of plankton discovered by the Tara Expedition.

Credit: Tara Oceans Project

This microscopic image shows a new species of plankton discovered by the Tara Expedition.

Credit: Tara Oceans Project

This microscopic image shows a new species of plankton discovered by the Tara Expedition.

Credit: Tara Oceans Project

This microscopic image shows a new species of plankton discovered by the Tara Expedition.

Credit: Tara Oceans Project

This microscopic image shows a new species of plankton discovered by the Tara Expedition.